What Is Factor?
Factor is a prepared meal delivery service. The meals arrive fully cooked and ready to eat. You do not chop vegetables. You do not follow recipes. You heat the meal in a microwave or oven, and it is ready in about 2 to 3 minutes.
Factor was founded in 2013 and is now owned by HelloFresh, one of the largest meal delivery companies in the world. The company ships fresh (never frozen) meals to all 48 contiguous states. Each meal comes in a sealed black tray. The meals are designed by dietitians and cooked by chefs.
For seniors, the big appeal is simple: no cooking, no shopping, and no complicated recipes. If you are tired of making dinner every night — or if standing at the stove has become difficult — Factor takes that off your plate. But it is not the right fit for everyone. This review will help you decide.
Factor Pricing: What Seniors Actually Pay
Factor does not have a flat per-meal price. The cost depends on how many meals you order each week. Here is the current pricing as of 2026:
| Meals per Week | Cost per Meal | Weekly Total |
|---|---|---|
| 18 meals | $11.49 | $206.82 |
| 14 meals | $11.99 | $167.86 |
| 10 meals | $12.99 | $129.90 |
| 8 meals | $13.49 | $107.92 |
| 6 meals | $13.99 | $83.94 |
Shipping is an extra $10.99 per box. For a senior living alone, the 6-meal plan costs about $95 per week with shipping — roughly $13.50 per meal.
New customers get a discount. Factor often runs promotions that cut the first order by 50% or more. That means your first box of 6 meals could cost around $42 instead of $84. After the promo ends, you pay the regular price.
Is this a good deal for seniors? It depends on what you compare it to. A single person cooking at home spends about $5 to $7 per meal on groceries. Factor is roughly double that. But if you currently eat out or order takeout for $15 to $20 per meal, Factor saves you money. And if the alternative is skipping meals because cooking is too hard, Factor is worth every penny.
Factor at a Glance
What the Meals Taste Like
We tried 10 different Factor meals and asked six seniors to taste them. The results were mostly positive, but not every dish was a hit.
The biggest surprise: these do not taste like TV dinners. The chicken is actually tender. The vegetables have texture — they are not mush. The sauces taste like something you would get at a restaurant, not a cafeteria. Factor uses real ingredients. You can see whole green beans, pieces of grilled chicken, and actual herbs.
Standout dishes included the Chicken Piccata with cauliflower mash, the Creamy Parmesan Chicken, and the Herb-Crusted Salmon. The seniors in our group especially liked the comfort-food options — things like beef stew, turkey chili, and chicken pot pie-style dishes that felt familiar.
The weaker dishes were mostly the vegan and plant-based options. A few of the veggie-forward meals were bland. If you prefer hearty, meat-based meals, you will find more to like on Factor's menu than if you eat mostly plant-based.
Portion sizes are moderate — not huge, not tiny. Most seniors found them satisfying for lunch or a lighter dinner. If you have a bigger appetite, you might want to add a side salad or piece of fruit.
Dietary Options and Nutrition
Factor offers six meal categories. You can mix and match or stick to one plan:
- Keto: Low-carb, high-fat meals. Usually under 15g net carbs. Good if your doctor has recommended a low-carb eating plan.
- Calorie Smart: Meals under 550 calories. Designed for weight management.
- Protein Plus: 40+ grams of protein per meal. Helpful for seniors who need to maintain muscle mass.
- Vegan & Veggie: Plant-based meals with no animal products.
- Flexitarian: A mix of everything. Most popular plan.
- Chef's Choice: High-end dishes like salmon and steak. Costs extra ($5 to $8 more per meal).
Each meal label lists calories, protein, carbs, fat, and sodium. The sodium numbers can be high — many meals have 700 to 1,200 mg of sodium. If your doctor has told you to watch your salt intake, read the labels carefully before you order.
Important note for seniors with medical diets: Factor does not make meals for specific medical conditions. There is no diabetic meal plan, no renal-friendly plan, and no cardiac-diet plan. The Keto option works for some people managing type 2 diabetes, but it is not designed as medical nutrition therapy. If you need medically tailored meals, consider Mom's Meals (which works with insurance) or Silver Cuisine (which offers heart-healthy and diabetic options designed for seniors).
How Factor Compares to Other Senior Meal Services
Factor is not the only prepared meal delivery service. Here is how it stacks up against the other popular options for seniors:
| Service | Price per Meal | Prep Needed | Dietary Options | Insurance Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factor | $11.49–$13.99 | Microwave only | Keto, low-cal, high-protein, vegan | No |
| Magic Kitchen | $11–$15 | Microwave or oven | Diabetic, renal, cardiac, low-sodium | No |
| Silver Cuisine | $8–$11 | Microwave or oven | Heart-healthy, diabetic, gluten-free | No |
| Mom's Meals | $7.99 | Microwave only | Diabetic, renal, cardiac, pureed | Yes (some plans) |
Factor wins on taste and menu variety. The meals feel more modern and restaurant-like. But Magic Kitchen and Mom's Meals do better on medical diets. And Silver Cuisine is often cheaper. For a complete comparison of prepared meal services, read our best prepared meal delivery for seniors guide.
If you are choosing between Factor and a meal kit like HelloFresh: meal kits require cooking. You get raw ingredients and a recipe card. Factor gives you a finished meal. For seniors who still enjoy cooking, meal kits are fun and cost less per serving. For seniors who want zero work, Factor wins.
How to Order Factor: A Simple Step-by-Step
Ordering Factor is done online. Here is exactly what to expect:
- Go to the Factor website. You can set up an account here. Type in your email address and zip code.
- Pick your meal plan. Choose how many meals you want per week (6 to 18) and pick your food preference. If you are not sure, choose Flexitarian — you can always change it later.
- Select your meals. Factor shows you a menu of 35+ meals each week. Click the ones you want. You can see full nutrition facts and ingredients for every dish before you add it.
- Enter your address and payment. Factor accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.
- Choose your delivery day. Factor delivers Monday through Saturday depending on your zip code.
- Check your email. You will get a confirmation. The box shows up on your delivery day packed in insulated lining with ice packs.
If the online ordering feels overwhelming, ask a family member to help you set up the account. Once it is set up, Factor auto-selects meals for you each week based on your preferences. You can log in and swap any meals you do not want, or skip a week entirely.
To skip or cancel, log into your account and click "Edit Delivery." You need to do this before the weekly cutoff, which is typically Wednesday at 11:59 PM Central Time. If you need help, call Factor customer service at (888) 573-5727. They are open 7 days a week.
The Downsides Seniors Should Know
Factor is not perfect. Here are the real issues we found:
- The cost adds up. At $13.50 per meal with shipping, Factor is a luxury, not a budget service. If you are on a fixed income, look at cheaper grocery delivery options or Meals on Wheels.
- Sodium is high. Many meals pack 800 to 1,200 mg of sodium. The American Heart Association recommends 1,500 mg per day for most older adults. Two Factor meals can put you over that limit.
- No medical meal plans. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or kidney issues, Factor does not have meals tailored to your needs.
- Portions may be small. If you have a big appetite, one Factor meal might not fill you up. Some seniors told us they add a side dish.
- All online. There is no phone ordering. If you are not comfortable with websites and apps, you will need help getting started.
- Packaging waste. Each meal comes in a plastic tray with a plastic film. The ice packs and insulation liner add to the waste. Factor says the trays are recyclable, but not all recycling programs accept them.
Is Factor Worth It for Seniors? Our Verdict
Factor is a good choice for seniors who:
- Want hot, healthy meals without any cooking
- Prefer modern, restaurant-style food over cafeteria-style meals
- Can afford $95 to $210 per week on food
- Do not have strict medical dietary restrictions
- Are comfortable using a website or have someone who can help
Factor is not a good fit for seniors who:
- Are on a tight budget or use SNAP/EBT
- Need medically tailored meals (diabetic, renal, cardiac, low-sodium)
- Prefer simple, traditional comfort food over modern dishes
- Are not comfortable with online ordering
- Want to talk to a real person to place orders
If Factor sounds like a match, try it with the new-customer discount and order the smallest plan (6 meals). That way you can test the taste and see if the portions work for you without a big commitment. You can cancel right after if it is not a fit.
Next Steps
- Check your budget. Write down what you currently spend on food each week. Compare it to Factor's $95/week minimum.
- Talk to your doctor. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or any chronic condition, ask if Factor's nutrition profile works for your health needs.
- Try the first box. Order Factor with the new-customer discount. Start with 6 meals to test the service.
- Consider alternatives. If Factor is too pricey, check our full guide to senior meal delivery or call Meals on Wheels at 1-888-998-6325 to find a local program.
- If you have insurance questions: Call your Medicare Advantage plan directly (number on the back of your card) and ask if they cover prepared meals. Some plans include meal benefits after a hospital stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Factor good for seniors on a fixed budget?
Factor costs $11 to $14 per meal depending on how many you order per week. The smallest plan is 6 meals per week, which comes to about $78. For seniors on a tight budget, Factor is more expensive than grocery delivery with SNAP EBT or services like Meals on Wheels. However, it costs less than eating at restaurants and less than some other prepared meal services like Magic Kitchen. If you eat out several times a week, switching to Factor can actually save money.
Does Factor offer meals for diabetic or heart-healthy diets?
Factor has a Keto meal plan which is low-carb and works well for some people managing type 2 diabetes. They also offer Calorie Smart (low-calorie) and Protein Plus (high-protein) options. However, Factor does not have meals specifically designed for diabetic, renal, or cardiac diets. For seniors who need medically tailored meals, services like Mom's Meals or Silver Cuisine may be a better fit since they work directly with dietitians and accept some insurance plans.
How long do Factor meals last in the refrigerator?
Factor meals stay fresh for 7 days in the refrigerator. Each meal container has a printed use-by date. You can also freeze most Factor meals for up to 2-3 weeks, though the texture of vegetables and sauces may change after thawing. This makes Factor a good option for seniors who want to keep a few meals on hand without worrying about daily cooking.
Can you cancel Factor at any time?
Yes, you can skip weeks or cancel Factor anytime. There are no long-term contracts. You manage everything through your online account — skip a week when you are traveling or have family visiting, then resume when you need meals again. You can also change your meal count and preferences from week to week. The only rule is that you must skip or cancel before the weekly cutoff day, which is usually Wednesday at 11:59 PM CT for the following week's delivery.
Does Medicare or Medicaid cover Factor meals?
No, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover Factor meals. Factor is a commercial meal delivery service and does not bill insurance. For seniors who qualify, some Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid waivers cover medically tailored meals through approved providers like Mom's Meals. If you need help paying for prepared meals, call your Medicare Advantage plan directly at the number on your card or contact your state's Medicaid office to ask about meal benefits.